Thulu Podu Thulu
From Ivan · 2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu | Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder |
| Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu | Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder |
| Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu | Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder |
| Male | |
| Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu | Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder |
| Thoovu salt thulu lemonu saaru | Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice |
| Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu | Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder |
| Thoovu salt thulu lemonu saaru | Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice |
| Female | |
| Udhatula oora vacha | Soaked on the lips |
| Oorugaayum paaru | Look at the pickle too |
| Ull naakku sappu kottum | The inner tongue smacks its lips |
| Taste panni paaru | Try tasting it |
| Baava nee baava naan baava ra baava | Brother-in-law, you are my brother-in-law, oh brother-in-law |
| Nee baava naan baava ra baava | You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law |
| Male | |
| Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu | Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder |
| Thoovu salt thulu lemonu saaru | Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice |
| Udhatula oora vacha oorugaayum engae | Where is the pickle that soaked on the lips? |
| Ull naakku sappu kotti kettkuthadi ingae | The inner tongue smacks and asks for it right here |
| Baava | Brother-in-law |
| Female :Baava baava baava baava baava | Female: Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law |
| Baava baava baava baava | Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law |
| Female | |
| Kokkok kokkongura | Clucking like a hen |
| Andhra ponnu yenguraa | The Andhra girl is longing |
| Male :Vaanaliyil varuthu vaasanaigal serthu | Male: Fried in a pan with added spices |
| Erakki veikkum bothu enna sollum oorugaai | What will the pickle say when taking it off the stove? |
| Female | |
| Maangaaiyum kooda masakkaiyaa aayidum | Even a raw mango would get pregnancy cravings |
| Oorum kai unnalae endru sollum oorugaai | The pickle says that the hand that marinates is yours |
| Male :Oorugaaiyil aan pen irukkudi | Male: There is male and female gender in pickles too |
| Onakku terinjaa velakki solludi | If you know, explain it to me clearly |
| Female | |
| Ennai vazhinja ponbala oorugaai | An oily pickle is a female pickle |
| Asadu vazhinja aambala oorugaai | A clumsy dripping pickle is a male pickle |
| Male | |
| Daily cinema chupistha raavae | Come, I will show you a movie daily |
| Female :Chusinthi chaalu vishayam ledhae | Female: I have seen enough, there is no substance here |
| Male :Osthae istha kaakkinada kadha | Male: If you come, I will give you a Kakinada sweet |
| Male | |
| Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu | Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder |
| Female :Thoovu salt thulu lemonu saaru | Female: Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice |
| Female | |
| Oora veikka oora veikka taste innum koodum | The more you marinate, the taste increases further |
| Kaaya veikka kaaya veikka kakka kothi pogum | The more you dry it in the sun, crows will come peck at it |
| Male | |
| Moodi veikka moodi veikka moodu innum koodum | The more you cover it up, the mood increases further |
| Kaiya veikka kaiya veikka thaiya thakka aagum | The more you place hands on it, it turns into a rhythmic dance |
| Female | |
| Idlykku sooda inji oorga | Hot ginger pickle for idli |
| Konjida vandha gonkura oorugaa | Gongura pickle that came to cuddle |
| Male | |
| Iduppa paartha aavakka ooruga | Avakai pickle when looking at the waist |
| Adhukku mela maavadu oorukka | Tender mango pickle above that |
| Female | |
| Manchithi manjam undhi baava | A soft bed is prepared, brother-in-law |
| Male :Pottukka ledhae navathukumma | Male: You haven't worn a bindi, move aside a bit |
| Female :Osthe istha badam paalu nukku vaa | Female: If you come, I will give almond milk, come to drink |
| Female | |
| Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu | Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder |
| Thoovu salt thulu lemonu saaru | Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice |
| Male :Udhatula oora vacha oorugaayum engae | Male: Where is the pickle that soaked on the lips? |
| Ull naakku sappu kotti kettkuthadi ingae | The inner tongue smacks and asks for it right here |
| Baava baava baava baava | Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law |
| Nee baava naa baava ra baava | You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law |
| Baava baava | Brother-in-law, brother-in-law |
| Nee baava naa baava ra baava | You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law |
| Male | |
| Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu | Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder |
| Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu | Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder |
| Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu | Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder |
| Female :Baava baava baava baava | Female: Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law |
| Nee baava naa baava ra baava | You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law |
| Baava baava | Brother-in-law, brother-in-law |
| Nee baava naa baava ra baava | You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law |
தூளு போடு தூளு மிளகாய் தூளு
தூளு போடு தூளு மிளகாய் தூளு
தூளு போடு தூளு மிளகாய் தூளு...
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
தூளு போடு தூளு மொளகாத் தூளு
தூவு சால்ட் தூளு எலுமிச்சம் சாறு
தூளு போடு தூளு மொளகாத் தூளு
தூவு சால்ட் தூளு எலுமிச்சம் சாறு
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice
உதட்டுல ஊற வச்ச ஊறுகாய பாரு
உள் நாக்கு சப்புக் கொட்டும்
டேஸ்ட் பண்ணி பாரு பாவா
நீ பாவா நா பாவா ரா பாவா
நீ பாவா நா பாவா ரா பாவா
Soaked on the lips
Look at the pickle too
The inner tongue smacks its lips
Try tasting it
Brother-in-law, you are my brother-in-law, oh brother-in-law
You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law
தூளு போடு தூளு மொளகாத் தூளு
தூவு சால்ட் தூளு எலுமிச்சம் சாறு
உதட்டுல ஊற வச்ச ஊறுகாயும் எங்கே
உள்நாக்கு சப்புக் கொட்டி கேக்குதடி இங்கே
பாவா
பாவா பாவா பாவா பாவா பாவா....(2)
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice
Where is the pickle that soaked on the lips?
The inner tongue smacks and asks for it right here
Brother-in-law
Female: Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law
Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law
கொக்கொக்கொக் கோங்குரா
ஆந்தரா பொண்ணு ஏங்குறா
வாணலியில் வறுத்து வாசனைகள் சேர்த்து
எறக்கி வைக்கும்போது என்ன சொல்லும் ஊறுகாய்
Clucking like a hen
The Andhra girl is longing
Male: Fried in a pan with added spices
What will the pickle say when taking it off the stove?
மாங்காயும் கூட மசக்கையாய் ஆயிடும்
ஊறுகாய் உன்னாலே என்று சொல்லும் ஊறுகாய்
ஊறுகாயில் ஆண் பெண் இருக்குடி
ஒனக்கு தெரிஞ்சா வெளக்கி சொல்லுடி
Even a raw mango would get pregnancy cravings
The pickle says that the hand that marinates is yours
Male: There is male and female gender in pickles too
If you know, explain it to me clearly
எண்ணை வழிஞ்சா பொம்பள ஊறுகாய்
அசடு வழிஞ்சா ஆம்பள ஊறுகாய்
An oily pickle is a female pickle
A clumsy dripping pickle is a male pickle
டெய்லி சினிமா சூப்பிஸ்தா ராவே
சூஸிகா சாலு விஷயம் லேதே
ஒச்தே இஸ்தா காக்கிநாடா கதா
Come, I will show you a movie daily
Female: I have seen enough, there is no substance here
Male: If you come, I will give you a Kakinada sweet
தூளு போடு தூளு மொளகாத் தூளு
தூவு சால்ட் தூளு எலுமிச்சம் சாறு
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Female: Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice
ஊற வைக்க ஊற வைக்க டேஸ்ட்டு இன்னும் கூடும்
காய வைக்க காய வைக்க காக்கா கொத்திப் போகும்
மூடி வைக்க மூடி வைக்க மூடு இன்னும் கூடும்
கைய வைக்க கைய வைக்க தையதக்கா ஆகும்
The more you marinate, the taste increases further
The more you dry it in the sun, crows will come peck at it
இட்லிக்கு சூடா இஞ்சி ஊறுகா
கொஞ்சிட வந்தா கோங்குரா ஊறுகா
இடுப்ப பார்த்தா ஆவக்கா ஊறுகா
அதுக்கு மேலே மாவடு ஊறுகா
The more you cover it up, the mood increases further
The more you place hands on it, it turns into a rhythmic dance
மஞ்சிதி மஞ்சம் உண்டு பாவா
போட்டுக்க லேதே நமக்கு கும்மா
ஒஸ்தே இஸ்தா பாதாம் பாலு நூ வா
Hot ginger pickle for idli
Gongura pickle that came to cuddle
தூளு போடு தூளு மொளகாத் தூளு
தூவு சால்ட் தூளு எலுமிச்சம் சாறு
உதட்டுல ஊற வச்ச ஊறுகாயும் எங்கே
உள்நாக்கு சப்புக் கொட்டி கேக்குதடி இங்கே
பாவா பாவா பாவா பாவா
நீ பாவா நா பாவா ரா பாவா
பாவா பாவா....
நீ பாவா நா பாவா ரா பாவா
Avakai pickle when looking at the waist
Tender mango pickle above that
தூளு போடு தூளு மொளகாத் தூளு
பாவா பாவா பாவா பாவா
நீ பாவா நா பாவா ரா பாவா
பாவா பாவா....
நீ பாவா நா பாவா ரா பாவா
A soft bed is prepared, brother-in-law
Male: You haven't worn a bindi, move aside a bit
Female: If you come, I will give almond milk, come to drink
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice
Male: Where is the pickle that soaked on the lips?
The inner tongue smacks and asks for it right here
Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law
You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law
Brother-in-law, brother-in-law
You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Female: Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law
You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law
Brother-in-law, brother-in-law
You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law
Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Thoovu salt thulu lemonu saaru
Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice
Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Thoovu salt thulu lemonu saaru
Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice
Udhatula oora vacha
Soaked on the lips
Oorugaayum paaru
Look at the pickle too
Ull naakku sappu kottum
The inner tongue smacks its lips
Taste panni paaru
Try tasting it
Baava nee baava naan baava ra baava
Brother-in-law, you are my brother-in-law, oh brother-in-law
Nee baava naan baava ra baava
You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law
Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Thoovu salt thulu lemonu saaru
Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice
Udhatula oora vacha oorugaayum engae
Where is the pickle that soaked on the lips?
Ull naakku sappu kotti kettkuthadi ingae
The inner tongue smacks and asks for it right here
Baava
Brother-in-law
Female :Baava baava baava baava baava
Female: Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law
Baava baava baava baava
Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law
Kokkok kokkongura
Clucking like a hen
Andhra ponnu yenguraa
The Andhra girl is longing
Male :Vaanaliyil varuthu vaasanaigal serthu
Male: Fried in a pan with added spices
Erakki veikkum bothu enna sollum oorugaai
What will the pickle say when taking it off the stove?
Maangaaiyum kooda masakkaiyaa aayidum
Even a raw mango would get pregnancy cravings
Oorum kai unnalae endru sollum oorugaai
The pickle says that the hand that marinates is yours
Male :Oorugaaiyil aan pen irukkudi
Male: There is male and female gender in pickles too
Onakku terinjaa velakki solludi
If you know, explain it to me clearly
Ennai vazhinja ponbala oorugaai
An oily pickle is a female pickle
Asadu vazhinja aambala oorugaai
A clumsy dripping pickle is a male pickle
Daily cinema chupistha raavae
Come, I will show you a movie daily
Female :Chusinthi chaalu vishayam ledhae
Female: I have seen enough, there is no substance here
Male :Osthae istha kaakkinada kadha
Male: If you come, I will give you a Kakinada sweet
Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Female :Thoovu salt thulu lemonu saaru
Female: Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice
Oora veikka oora veikka taste innum koodum
The more you marinate, the taste increases further
Kaaya veikka kaaya veikka kakka kothi pogum
The more you dry it in the sun, crows will come peck at it
Moodi veikka moodi veikka moodu innum koodum
The more you cover it up, the mood increases further
Kaiya veikka kaiya veikka thaiya thakka aagum
The more you place hands on it, it turns into a rhythmic dance
Idlykku sooda inji oorga
Hot ginger pickle for idli
Konjida vandha gonkura oorugaa
Gongura pickle that came to cuddle
Iduppa paartha aavakka ooruga
Avakai pickle when looking at the waist
Adhukku mela maavadu oorukka
Tender mango pickle above that
Manchithi manjam undhi baava
A soft bed is prepared, brother-in-law
Male :Pottukka ledhae navathukumma
Male: You haven't worn a bindi, move aside a bit
Female :Osthe istha badam paalu nukku vaa
Female: If you come, I will give almond milk, come to drink
Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Thoovu salt thulu lemonu saaru
Sprinkle salt powder and lemon juice
Male :Udhatula oora vacha oorugaayum engae
Male: Where is the pickle that soaked on the lips?
Ull naakku sappu kotti kettkuthadi ingae
The inner tongue smacks and asks for it right here
Baava baava baava baava
Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law
Nee baava naa baava ra baava
You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law
Baava baava
Brother-in-law, brother-in-law
Nee baava naa baava ra baava
You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law
Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Thulu podu thulu molagaa thulu
Sprinkle powder, sprinkle chili powder
Female :Baava baava baava baava
Female: Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother-in-law
Nee baava naa baava ra baava
You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law
Baava baava
Brother-in-law, brother-in-law
Nee baava naa baava ra baava
You are my brother-in-law, I am yours, oh brother-in-law
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Thulu Podu from the movie Ivan (2002) is a quirky, high-energy folk duet composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The lyrics, written by Kabilan, mix Tamil folk idioms with Telugu slang to build a playful romantic dialogue between the lead characters. The song uses food preparation—specifically the making, marinating, and spicing of pickles—as a metaphor for physical attraction, culinary cravings, and teasing romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Iduppa paartha aavakka ooruga”
Compares various feminine features and romantic moods to famous South Indian pickle varieties like Avakai, Gongura, and Maavadu.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Oora veikka oora veikka taste innum koodum”
Repetition of identical structures at the beginning of consecutive lines to create a rhythmic, chant-like folk momentum.
Code-Switching (Linguistic Device)
“Chusinthi chaalu vishayam ledhae”
Blending Telugu words (Chusinthi, Chupistha, Baava) with Tamil to highlight the character's regional Andhra persona.
Onomatopoeia
“Kokkok kokkongura”
Use of vocal sound imitation like 'Kokkok kokkongura' to mimic hen sounds and create a playful mood.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film Ivan was directed by Parthiban, known for his unconventional narratives and wordplay. To give the song a unique Andhra-border flavor, lyricist Kabilan integrated popular Telugu terms like 'Baava' (brother-in-law/suitor) and famous Andhra culinary references like 'Kakinada Kaja' and 'Gongura'.
Keep listening
More from Ivan
Ivan
Ivan
Ivan
Ivan
Ivan
Ivan